A good pair of golf shorts can make your experience on the course much smoother. Innovations from manufacturers like Adidas, Puma, Callaway, Etonic, and more can keep you cool, protect you from the elements, and give you unrestricted motion. Moisture blocking materials in golf shorts can keep you drier on the fairway by pulling sweat away from the body. They can also help block UV rays harmful to your skin. Finally, golf shirts are constructed with materials that allow free range of motion. These allow you to putt, drive, and swing without tugging or tightness.
Golf is a sport where the right equipment and apparel make a big difference. The wrong club, the wrong ball, and even the wrong golf clothes can have an impact on your game. Even something as seemingly simple as golf shorts can assist or detract from your game. Whether this piece of essential apparel will help or hurt your game is up to you.
Naturally, golf shorts are going to be used in warmer to hot weather. Beyond that, they are very different in what they can offer compared to casual non-golf-specific shorts. Golf apparel manufacturers have created sport-specific innovations for both men's golf shorts and women's golf shorts. These are designed to support you in multiple ways that are useful but can often be overlooked.
Beyond style, there are three primary areas to consider when selecting golf shorts. One, of course, is fabrics that help keep you cool on warmer days, specifically during exertion. A second yet vital consideration is a design that gives you complete freedom of movement, especially while in your swinging motion. Third, don't forget utility and durability. You want shorts that wear well through multiple golf outings and can handle everything from a competitive 18 rounds to a visit from unexpected weather. Here are a few examples of the different brands and features that satisfy these requirements.
Besides stretch and flexibility, a quality pair of golf shorts should help you manage the heat. With the sun beating down on you on the fairway, you do not want to be distracted by shorts that have become a sweat sponge. You want fabrics that whisk sweat and heat off of the legs. These keep you drier longer, making your golf outing that much more enjoyable. Puma's Golf Jackpot Short offers a material that pulls sweat away from your legs and seat. Nike Golf shorts also feature a similar sweat management technology. Also, beyond just heat, think about UV rays' impact while outdoors. Some golf shorts feature fabrics designed to help keep these rays out. A great pair of golf shorts with this benefit is the Puma Golf Tech Short, which offers this feature.
Beyond just temperature and sun exposure, golf shorts should allow a fluid range of motion. When you bring your leg back for a drive, you do not ever want to feel your shorts constricting your movement. Practical golf shorts have stretchable fabrics that seamlessly move with you. The primary name-brand golf apparel manufacturers offer this in their shorts. In fact, they are designed for this specifically. In comparison, casual shorts may look similar but do not have the multi-directional stretchability you need. A practical example is the Jack Nicklaus Golf Horizontal Texture Shorts. Golf shorts designed with the golfer in mind are constructed around the principle of helping your golf game. They are going to move in multiple directions with you as you drive, putt and swing. What they won't do is distract you by tugging against you. In fact, you should not notice them at all as you focus on your game.
If you are in an area where Mother Nature is very likely to make an appearance, then look for shorts that are designed for this contingent. An example is some of the Adidas golf shorts. The Adidas Golf Go-To Five Pocket Short is treated with a coating that helps keep out water. This is ideal if you want to keep playing through a light sprinkle without soggy water-logged shorts.
